Post college: The tip trap?

James · #1 08-03-2004, 01:24 PM

I have some friends in the tip trap.

They got jobs in college that pay fairly well through tips, and would have to atually take a pay cut to get an entry level positions somewhere else.

Even at the local Applebees, a server generally clears 40 grand. The bartenders over 50 grand a year . . after taxes.

I know another guy who is a massage therapist who clears over 60 grand a year after taxes.

What do you tell these people?

Eclipse · #2 08-03-2004, 01:34 PM

My husband was in this position right after college, but he was doing collections and getting commissions. He was quite good at it and made more money that the entry level jobs he was interviewing for. What changed for him was the fact that he KNEW he did not want to be doing collections in 3 -4 years. He hated the job, so he was willing to make a short term sacrifice for the future. He took a job that had major potential, but for less money. In 2 years he was making more than he made previously and was traveling internationally for work.

Your friends may not be ready to delay gratification though. If not, they'll be 35 working as a server at Applebees making that same 40K. Those wages are not going to increase that much, where a "real" job probably will.

winneythepooh7 · #3 08-03-2004, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eclipse
My husband was in this position right after college, but he was doing collections and getting commissions. He was quite good at it and made more money that the entry level jobs he was interviewing for. What changed for him was the fact that he KNEW he did not want to be doing collections in 3 -4 years. He hated the job, so he was willing to make a short term sacrifice for the future. He took a job that had major potential, but for less money. In 2 years he was making more than he made previously and was traveling internationally for work.

Your friends may not be ready to delay gratification though. If not, they'll be 35 working as a server at Applebees making that same 40K. Those wages are not going to increase that much, where a "real" job probably will.

Co-sign. I see this all the time in my field too. People without the degrees and certifications we all worked our asses off to get want to make the same amount of money and are not willing to take an entry-level position to gain the experience they will need to make it in the field. I used to waitress back in the day and made a ton of money. Some wise words my family always told me though were that waitresses are a dime a dozen and do I want to be 50 working at the local IHOP? I don't think so. I took a drastic pay cut, took out loans and went through grad school. I am still not where I want to be but once I get my license within the next few months, a lot more doors will open up to me and I will be at the pay scale I want to be at. Instant gratification is great but like everything in life, nothing is handed to you and you have to work to get to that high-paying lifestyle.

texas*princess · #4 08-03-2004, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by winneythepooh7
Some wise words my family always told me though were that waitresses are a dime a dozen and do I want to be 50 working at the local IHOP? I don't think so.

Co-sign.

A lot of my friends are servers in Chilis, Applebees, whatever, and make a ton of money. But in all honesty, they get awesome tips because yea, they are great servers - they check up on customers, do whatever they need to do, but they're also really cute, and I could be wrong, but I would think that might have something to do with the massive tips they get. In 40 years, they will still be cute, just in a different way so their tips might not be as great

cuaphi · #5 08-03-2004, 01:56 PM

Me three.

I was a waitress towards the end of college and shortly thereafter. I made more in tips than at my first real job and then I got laid off and ended up taking temp jobs for even less just to stay in my field and keep working. It is a little hard when you hear bartenders bragging about how much they make and feel so poor. I have to just keep reminding myself of the long term. Their career is a dead end, mine hopefully isn't.
The other part of this is that I burned out on waiting tables. There are people out there that are really into the service industry and have serious discussions with co-workers on selling drinks and deserts, building a rapport with your tables, getting the maximum tip, etc. I never cared about any of that, I was just trying to pay my rent and move on with my life. After a while, I was so sick of running drink orders that I could feel myself getting grumpy at the thought of going in to work and being short with people for no reason. At that point, it's time to move on.

valkyrie · #6 08-03-2004, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by James
What do you tell these people?

Why tell them anything? People should do whatever they want.

winneythepooh7 · #7 08-03-2004, 02:00 PM

Plus I would also think that most places like this do not offer real long term benefits packages, such as healthcare and dental, pension plans, vacation/sick time, etc. I love being able to go to the doctor and dentist when ever I need to and knowing I only have to pay $20 or $10 for a co-pay. I love knowing that I have started a pension plan so I will have some money there when I get old. I also love knowing that if I want to take a personal day, I can and can get paid, and go on vacation, accumulate comp time, etc. It also is great to know that there are OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE within my agency and in my career field overall. How many waitresses or bartenders can say that?

33girl · #8 08-03-2004, 02:11 PM

I just want to say that it's not that horrible to be 50 and working (not managing) in the food service industry. Not everyone wants to be merging, acquiring etc - some people want a job they can do for 8 hours and come home and not think about it. And for some people it's what they really love doing.

However, if you've spent $100,000 on your college education to be an architect and you really want to be an architect, but you don't bother to send out any resumes because you like your tips at Applebee's too much, that's something else again. A lot of people change their minds once they turn 25 and can't be on their parents' insurance or get COBRA anymore.

Peaches-n-Cream · #9 08-03-2004, 02:12 PM

I have a friend who was a bartender in New York City in the late 80s and early 90s. He was like Tom Cruise in the movie "Cocktail" and made a lot of money for a guy in college. He loved the work and the money and the hours. A few years after college, he decided to get a 9 to 5 professional job which he held until his wife had their baby. Now his wife works from 9 to 5, and he tends bar a few nights a week. His hours allow him to be a stay at home daddy during the day. He prefers that to daycare.

PennyCarter · #10 08-03-2004, 04:56 PM

I completely understand the trap and I believe that people have definitely hit on the pros of a real job for the long run (if that is what the person wants). But, I would also get very burned out serving. I served for 3 years and often think about going back on the weekends for extra cash, but it takes a toll on the body (esp. if you are working 8-5 during the week). I loved meeting hte people and stuff, but after about 4 or 5 months I'd start hating it (and tips reflect that), luckily I was able to quit (due to internships or school) and then later when I needed money again I'd go back. It was a great way to get through school, but the benefits are minimal at best.

For someone who really enjoys it though, I would suggest they consider going through management training. Most restraunts promote from within and people with a college degree tend to get promoted faster or are able to move up further into the company. My boyfriend has a degree in physical therapy and began his masters before he realized he preferred working in the restaraunt industry. Now he makes good money and is doing what he enjoys.

Boodleboy322 · #11 08-14-2004, 07:08 PM

Well said Eclipse.

You need to think long term and what you'll be making 5 years or in some cases 3 years down the line. Bartending and waiting tables produce great money but will not always give you stock options, a cut at company shares, 401k, medical/dental, etc. An entry level position may not be making over 40 but if you're a high performer and you're career/goal oriented it won't be long until the higher ups place more responsibility on your shoulder. This will eventually generate the income you're looking for while at the same time you can be preparing for your retirement. Don't get me wrong, I love my bartendes and love taking care of my hotties after work at our happy hours but you need to think long term. Regards, Boodleboy322

Quote:

Originally posted by Eclipse
My husband was in this position right after college, but he was doing collections and getting commissions. He was quite good at it and made more money that the entry level jobs he was interviewing for. What changed for him was the fact that he KNEW he did not want to be doing collections in 3 -4 years. He hated the job, so he was willing to make a short term sacrifice for the future. He took a job that had major potential, but for less money. In 2 years he was making more than he made previously and was traveling internationally for work.

Your friends may not be ready to delay gratification though. If not, they'll be 35 working as a server at Applebees making that same 40K. Those wages are not going to increase that much, where a "real" job probably will.

KSigkid · #12 08-15-2004, 09:33 PM

If they want to keep working there, then don't tell them anything. You have to be able to wake up every day and go to work, so if working as a server makes them happy, nothing's going to change that.

If they ask for your advice...you can always let them know that an important thing to consider is what a position's ceiling is. If you're making 35,000 now, but will top off at that, then is that what you want? Would you rather have a job with less of a starting salary but more room for income growth?

Honestly though, it's their choice. I feel like chosing one's profession is a very personal thing, and I wouldn't give anyone advice unless they explicitly asked for it.

DeltaBetaBaby · #13 08-16-2004, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by James
I have some friends in the tip trap.

They got jobs in college that pay fairly well through tips, and would have to atually take a pay cut to get an entry level positions somewhere else.

Even at the local Applebees, a server generally clears 40 grand. The bartenders over 50 grand a year . . after taxes.

I know another guy who is a massage therapist who clears over 60 grand a year after taxes.

What do you tell these people?

Hmm....I would tell them to get a job making more than 60K.